Heater assembly for washing machine

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a heater assembly for a washing machine having improved stability and reliability. The heater assembly includes a cavity formed at a bottom surface of a tub storing washing water, a heater disposed in the cavity and heating the washing water, and a cover provided to the bottom surface of the tub and configured to cover the cavity.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Application Nos. P2004-46010; P2004-46011 and P2004-46012, three of which are filed on Jun. 21, 2004, which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly a heater assembly installed in the washing machine to heat washing water.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

As well known, a washing using hot water enhances a washing efficiency, and for such reason, the hot water is generally supplied to the washing machine from an outside of the washing machine. However, recently, the heater is provided to the washing machine in order to directly heat the washing water.

In most cases, the heater is mounted with brackets on a bottom of an inside of an outer tub which stores the washing water. The heater generates heat depending on washing conditions such as kind of laundry, for heating the water stored in the outer tub to a temperature proper for the washing. Then, the washing machine can wash the laundry appropriately by using the heated washing water.

However, as described, since the heater is mounted on a bottom surface of the outer tub, it is required to disassemble not only a housing of the washing machine, but also an inner tub inside the outer tub and other related components, for an exchange or a maintenance of the heater. Consequently, the maintenance of the heater is difficult and requires much time. The heater is also installed in a cavity formed at the bottom of the outer tub. Accordingly, the cavity is different in a water pressure from the bottom surface of the outer tub, and thus the washing water could not be properly supplied to the inner tub from the outer tub. In addition, if the heater is overheated, elements near the heater could be damaged and a fire might be occurred. Further, as terminals of the heater project out of the outer tub, a short circuit and a fire thereby might be occurred.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a washing machine that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a heater assembly of a washing machine having convenience in maintenance and stability and reliability in operation.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention provides a heater assembly for a washing machine comprising: a cavity formed at a bottom surface of a tub storing washing water; a heater disposed in the cavity and heating the washing water; and a cover provided to the bottom surface of the tub and configured to cover the cavity.

The cover and the bottom surface of the tub are preferably positioned in a common surface. The cover includes an inlet configured to allow the washing water to flow into the cavity, and the inlet sinks with a predetermined depth from the cover. In addition, the cover includes an outlet configured to discharge the washing water from the cavity, and the outlet rises with a predetermined height from the cover.

Preferably, the heater is configured to be detachable from the tub at an outside of the tub. The heater comprises a heating portion disposed in the cavity and generating heat, and terminals projecting out of the tub and electrically connected to the heating portion. The heater further comprises a sealing mechanism configured to seal the cavity. Additionally, the heater further comprises a pressing mechanism for pressing sealing members which seals an opening in the cavity.

The heater assembly further comprises a sensing device installed in the cavity and detecting a temperature of the heater. The sensing device is configured to be detachable from the tub at an outside of the tub. For this reason, the sensing device is fitted into a bottom of the tub to be inserted into the cavity and is separated from the tub by being pulled at an outside of the tub. In addition, the heater assembly further comprises a clamp holding the heater in the cavity, and this clamp is configured to be separated from the tub together with the sensing device. Preferably, the clamp is fixed only to the sensing device.

In addition, the heater assembly further comprises a cover protecting terminals of the heater. The cover comprises non-conducting material of electricity. Actually, the cover comprises first and second covers covering the terminals respectively, and further comprises an auxiliary cover covering a ground terminal of the heater. Further, the cover includes an inclined surface for allowing water to flow thereon.

Alternatively, according to another aspect of the invention, the heater assembly for a washing machine comprises a cavity formed at a bottom surface of a tub storing washing water; a heater disposed in the cavity and heating the washing water; and a sensing device installed in the cavity and detecting a temperature of the heater.

Alternatively, according to still another aspect of the invention, the heater assembly for a washing machine comprises a cavity formed at a bottom surface of a tub storing washing water; a heater disposed in the cavity and heating the washing water; and a cover installed to the tub and protecting terminals of the heater.

The present invention mentioned above improves stability/reliability and convenience of maintenance in the heater assembly for the washing machine.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a washing machine according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a heater assembly according to the present invention together with an outer tub;

FIG. 3 is a plane view showing a bottom surface of an outer tub to which a heater assembly of the present invention is installed;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a bottom of an outer tub to which a heater assembly is installed;

FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged perspective view showing a heater assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a clamp in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cover for a heater assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a cover for terminals in a heater assembly according to the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged perspective view showing a heater assembly to which a cover of FIG. 8 is installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In describing the embodiments of the present invention, same parts will be given the same names and reference symbols, and iterative description of which will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a washing machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a heater assembly according to the present invention together with an outer tub.

Referring to FIG. 1, the washing machine of the present invention comprises a housing 10, and an outer tub 20 and an inner tub 30 both installed inside the housing 10.

The housing 10 is configured to hold various components of the washing machine therein and to protect such components. The housing 10 includes a top cover 12 provided at a top portion of the washing machine and a door 13 provided at the top cover 2. The top cover 12 has a control panel for operation by a user, and the laundry is put into and taken out of the washing machine through the door 13.

The outer tub 20 is elastically fastened to an inner surface of the housing 10, and stores washing water for constant supply of washing water to the inner tub during washing. More particularly, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer tub 20 has a space 21 for storage of washing water therein and a pass through hole 23 formed at a central portion of a bottom surface 22. A driving shaft is mounted through the pass through hole 23 and connected to the inner tub 30. There are brackets 24 fitting dampers along an outer circumference of the outer tub 20 for elastic coupling of the outer tub 20 and the housing 10.

The inner tub 30 is rotatably mounted in the outer tub 20. The inner tub 30 is supplied with the washing water from the outer tub 20. The laundry is introduced into the inner tub 30, and washed as the inner tub 30 rotates. The driving part 40 is disposed below both the outer tub 20 and the inner tub 30 and provides power to the inner tub 20 so as to be rotated. In general, the driving part 40 includes a motor and clutch and is coupled to the inner tub 30 by the driving shaft.

In the washing machine described above, warm or hot washing water is required depending on kinds and status of the laundry during an operation of the washing machine, for which the washing machine is provided with a heater assembly for producing hot or warm washing water for itself. As shown in FIG. 2, this heater assembly is mounted to the outer tub 20 for heating washing water in the outer tub 20 to a desired temperature.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the heater assembly basically comprises a cavity 100 in the bottom surface 22 of the outer tub 20 (hereinafter referred to as “a tub”) and a heater 200 disposed in the cavity 100.

The cavity 100 sinks with a predetermined depth from the bottom surface 22, and an outlet 140 is formed at a bottom of such cavity 100 to discharge the washing water out of the washing machine. As shown in FIG. 4, an opening 150 is formed at the bottom of the tub 20 to communicate with the cavity 100, and the heater 200 is inserted into the cavity through the opening 150. A rib 160 is formed adjacent to the opening 150, such that the water is prevented from reaching to terminals 250. In addition, the opening 150 sink with a predetermined depth laterally from an outer surface of the tub 20, and this is to restrain the water on the tub 20 from flowing toward the terminals 250.

The heater 200 basically serves to heat the washing water stored in the tub 20. The heater 200 includes a heating portion 210 disposed in the cavity 100 and generating heat and the terminals 250 projecting out of the tub 20 and electrically connected to the heating portion 210 for providing the electricity thereto.

The heater 200 also has a sealing mechanism configured to seal the cavity 100, accurately the opening 150. In this sealing mechanism, as shown in FIG. 4, a first sealing member 270 is attached to an outer surface of the cavity 100, accurately an outer surface of the tub 20 in order to seal the opening 150. A ground terminal 260 is provided to this first sealing member 270. And, as shown in FIG. 5, a second sealing member 230 projects into the cavity 100 to close the opening 150. The heater 200 extends passing through the first and second sealing member 270 and 230 as shown. The first sealing member 270 is formed larger than the opening 150 and made of rigid material. The second sealing member 230 is made of elastic material and is formed identical in size with or slightly smaller than the opening 150 so as to be forcedly fitted into the opening 150. In addition, the heater 200 preferably includes a pressing mechanism configured to press the first and second sealing members 270 and 230. In such pressing mechanism, a pressing plate 220 is installed to the heater to be in contact with the second sealing member 230. Additionally, a bolt 240 projects out of the tub 20 passing through the pressing plate 220, the second sealing member 230, and the first sealing members 270 successively as shown in FIG. 4, and a nut 280 is fastened to the bolt 240.

In case of an installation of the heater 200, the heating portion 210 is inserted in the opening 150 first, and then the second sealing member 230 is forcedly fitted into the opening 150 and the first sealing member 270 latches on the outer surface of the tub 20. As the nut 280 proceeds with being fastened to the bolt 240, the pressing plate 220 presses the second sealing member 230. Therefore, the second sealing member 230 expands by such pressing and then completely seals the opening 150. Simultaneously, the first sealing member 270 is closely attached to the tub 20, and thus the heater 200 is strongly coupled to the tub 20. Meanwhile, when the nut 280 is unfastened, the second sealing member 230 is restored. Accordingly, the heater 200 is easily separated from the tub 20 by pulling the heater 200 at an outside of the tub 20. Consequently, due the sealing and pressing mechanisms, the heater 200 could be installed to or separated from the tub 20 at the outside, not the inside of the tub 20, and thus it is not necessary for the an exchange and a repair of the heater 100 to separate the inner tub 20 and other related components from the washing machine. This makes maintenance of the heater 200 easy and convenient.

More specifically, the heating portion 210 of the heater 200 is bent by a plurality of times so as to have a great heating surface in a limited space. Actually, the heating portion 210 comprises a pair of first extensions 211 extending parallel to each other and a pair of second extensions 212 extending respectively from the first extensions 211 in an opposite direction to the first extensions 211, as shown in FIG. 5. And, the second extensions 212 are connected to each other.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the clamp 300 is provided in the cavity 100 to hold the heating portion 210. This clamp 300 prevents the heating portion 210 from being shaken by a flow of the washing water in the tub 20 or an impact given to the tub 20.

As particularly shown in FIG. 6, the clamp 300 has one or more curved portion 320, and the heating portion 210 is inserted into the curved portion 320 to be tightly supported thereby. More specifically, the clamp 300 includes first and second curved portions 321 and 322 being opposite to each other and each having a curvature corresponding to a diameter of the heating portion 210. The first and second curved portions 321 and 322 are connected to each other by a parallel portion 323. These first and second curved portions 321 and 322 practically support the second extension 212 of the heating portion 210. When the heater 200 is inserted into the cavity 100 through the opening 150, the second extensions 212 are fitted into the curved portions 321 and 322 with being guided by such curved portions 321 and 322, and thus the clamp 300 is caused to support the heater 200 entirely.

Further, a sensing device 400 is installed to the bottom of the cavity 100 to be adjacent to the heater 200. The sensing device 400 comprises a thermostat. The clamp 300 is fixed only to the sensing device 400 as shown in relevant drawings. More specifically, the clamp 300 has an end portion fixed to the sensing device 400 and informs the sensing device 400 of a temperature of the heating portion 210 by a heat transfer. For this reason, the clamp 300 is made of metal material having a good thermal conductivity and has a joining point 310 formed at the end portion thereof by a welding to an upper portion of the sensing device 400. Accordingly, the heat of the heating portion 210 is transferred to the joining portion 310, and the sensing device 400 detects the temperature of the heating portion 210 by using the transferred heat. If a detected temperature is below a predetermined proper temperature, the sensing device 400 has a controller of the washing machine operate the heater 200. Further, if the detected temperature is the proper temperature or above, the sensing device 400 has the controller stop an operation of the heater 200. Therefore, the sensing device 400 is configured to actively adjust the temperature of the heater 200, and thus prevent an overheating of the heater 200.

The sensing device 400 is forcedly fitted to the bottom of the tub 20 so as to be inserted into the cavity 100. More specifically, an opening (not shown) communicating with the cavity 100 is formed at the bottom of the tub 20, and the sensing device 400 is fitted in such opening. In this case, a sealing member could be interposed between the opening and the sensing device 400 for a perfect sealing. Therefore, if the clamp 300 or the sensing device 400 needs to be exchanged or repaired, the heater 200 is firstly separated from the tub 20 by a method as mentioned above. Then, as a portion of the sensing device 400 exposed to the outside of the tub 20 is pulled downwardly, the sensing device 400 is separated from the tub 20. Additionally, since the clamp 300 is coupled only with the sensing device 400 as described above, the clamp 300 is easily separated from the tub 20 through the opening together with the sensing device 400. Consequently, similar to the heater 200, the clamp 300 and the sensing device 400 could be installed to or separated from the tub 20 at the outside, not the inside of the tub 20 for the convenient maintenance.

Referring to FIG. 7, the heater assembly according to the present invention further includes a cover 600 covering the cavity 100. Also, at least one boss 130 is formed at the cavity 100 or the bottom surface of the tub 20 adjacent to the cavity 100 (see FIG. 5), and a hole 620 corresponding to the boss 130 is formed at the cover 600. Therefore, the cover 600 is coupled to the boss 130 by using a fastening member.

The cover 600 and the bottom surface of the tub 20 are positioned in a common plane, and this compensates for a difference in height between the bottom surface of the cavity 100 and the bottom surface of the tub 20. Accordingly, as the cover 600 reduces a difference of water pressure in the tub 20 caused by the difference in the height, the washing water is allowed to be smoothly supplied to the inner tub 30 from the tub, i.e. the outer tub 20. In addition, the laundry is not in contact with the heater 200 by the cover 600. Accordingly, the cover 600 prevents a fire or a damage of the laundry. For this reason, the cover 600 is made of nonflammable material, preferably stainless steel which is light and has proper strength.

Additionally, the cover 600 includes an inlet 610 allowing the stored washing water to flow into the cavity 100. An outlet 620 is formed apart from the inlet 610 to discharge the washing water from the cavity 100. The inlet 610 sinks with a predetermined depth from the cover 600, and a portion around the inlet 610 is inclined downwardly. Therefore, the washing water is guided by the inlet 610 so as to easily flow into the cavity 100. Further, the outlet 620 rises with a predetermined height from the cover, and causes the washing water in the cavity 100 to easily flow to tub 20. Accordingly, even though the cover 600 is installed to the tub, the washing water smoothly flows in or out of the cavity 100 through the inlet 610 and the outlet 620, so as to be properly heated by the heater 200.

Meanwhile, as explained above, the terminals 250 project out of the tub 20, while the heating portion 210 is disposed in the tub 20 (i.e. the cavity 100). If the washing water overflows the tub 20, such washing water flows along the outer surface of the tub 20 and reaches the terminals 250 and the ground terminal 260 such that the fire or the short circuit occurs. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the heater assembly of the present invention further includes a cover 700 protecting the terminals 250 and 260 in order for the water not to reach the terminals 250 and 260.

The cover 700 comprises first and second covers 710 surrounding the terminals 250, and a rib 730 connects the first and second covers 710. An auxiliary cover 720 is further formed at the rib 730 to surround the ground terminal 260. A bolt cover 740 is formed at the rib 730 to surround the bolt 240 (see FIG. 4), and a hole 741 through which an end of the bolt 240 passes is formed at a center of the bolt cover 740. In addition, the first and second covers 710 and 720 each include an inclined surface extending from an upper portion to a lower portion thereof. Accordingly, since the water inherently flows along such inclined surfaces, the covers 710 and 720 completely prevents the terminals 250 from being in contact with the water. Further, as the covers 710 and 720 cover the terminals 250 and the ground terminal 260, these covers 710 and 720 are very likely to be in contact with the terminals 250 and 260. Therefore, it is preferable that the cover 700 is made of non-conducting material of electricity such as plastic.

In order to couple the cover 700 to the tub 20, the covers 710 and 720 are disposed to cover the corresponding terminals 250 and 260, and the end of the bolt 240 projects through the hole 741. Then, an additional nut is fastened to the bolt 240 so as to attach the cover 700 to the outer surface of the tub 20.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A heater assembly for a washing machine comprising: a cavity formed at a bottom surface of a tub storing washing water; a heater disposed in the cavity and heating the washing water; and a cover provided to the bottom surface of the tub and configured to cover the cavity.
 2. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one boss is formed at the bottom surface of the tub so as to be coupled to the cover.
 3. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover and the bottom surface of the tub are positioned in a common surface.
 4. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover includes an inlet configured to allow the washing water to flow into the cavity.
 5. The heater assembly of claim 4, wherein the inlet sinks with a predetermined depth from the cover.
 6. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover includes an outlet configured to discharge the washing water from the cavity.
 7. The heater assembly of claim 6, wherein the outlet rises with a predetermined height from the cover.
 8. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the heater is configured to be detachable from the tub at an outside of the tub.
 9. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the heater comprises: a heating portion disposed in the cavity and generating heat; and terminals projecting out of the tub and electrically connected to the heating portion.
 10. The heater assembly of claim 1, wherein the heater further comprises a sealing mechanism configured to seal the cavity.
 11. The heater assembly of claim 9, wherein the heater further comprises: a first sealing member disposed at an outside of the cavity and configured to close an opening, which is formed at the cavity for allowing an insertion of the heater into the cavity; and a second sealing member disposed inside the cavity for closing the cavity.
 12. The heater assembly of claim 11, wherein the heater further comprises a pressing mechanism for pressing the first and second sealing members.
 13. The heater assembly of claim 11, wherein the heater further comprises: a pressing plate being in contact with the second sealing member; a bolt passing though the pressing plate, the first sealing member, and the second sealing member successively and projecting out of the tub; and a nut fastened to the bolt in order to cause the pressing plate to press the second sealing member.
 14. The heater assembly of claim 9, wherein the heating portion is bent a plurality of times.
 15. The heater assembly of claim 9, wherein the heating portion comprises: a pair of first extension extending parallel to each other; and a pair of second extension extending respectively from the first extensions to be opposite to the first extension.
 16. The heater assembly of claim 1, further comprising a sensing device installed in the cavity and detecting a temperature of the heater.
 17. The heater assembly of claim 16, wherein the sensing device is configured to adjust the temperature of the heater.
 18. The heater assembly of claim 16, wherein the sensing device comprises a thermostat.
 19. The heater assembly of claim 16, wherein the sensing device is configured to be detachable from the tub at an outside of the tub.
 20. The heater assembly of claim 16, wherein the sensing device is fitted into a bottom of the tub to be inserted into the cavity.
 21. The heater assembly of claim 16, wherein the sensing device is separated from the tub by being pulled at an outside of the tub.
 22. The heater assembly of claim 16, further comprising a clamp holding the heater in the cavity, wherein the clamp is configured to be separated from the tub together with the sensing device.
 23. The heater assembly of claim 22, wherein the clamp is fixed only to the sensing device.
 24. The heater assembly of claim 22, wherein the clamp has an end portion joined to the sensing device.
 25. The heater assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cover protecting terminals of the heater.
 26. The heater assembly of claim 25, wherein the cover comprises non-conducting material of electricity.
 27. The heater assembly of claim 25, wherein the cover comprises first and second covers covering the terminals respectively.
 28. The heater assembly of claim 25, wherein the cover comprises an auxiliary cover covering a ground terminal of the heater.
 29. The heater assembly of claim 25, wherein the cover includes an inclined surface for allowing water to flow thereon.
 30. A heater assembly for a washing machine comprising: a cavity formed at a bottom surface of a tub storing washing water; a heater disposed in the cavity and heating the washing water; and a sensing device installed in the cavity and detecting a temperature of the heater.
 31. The heater assembly of claim 30, wherein the sensing device is configured to adjust the temperature of the heater.
 32. The heater assembly of claim 30, wherein the sensing device comprises a thermostat.
 33. The heater assembly of claim 30, wherein the sensing device is configured to be detachable from the tub at an outside of the tub.
 34. The heater assembly of claim 30, wherein the sensing device is fitted into a bottom of the tub to be inserted into the cavity.
 35. The heater assembly of claim 30, wherein the sensing device is separated from the tub by being pulled at an outside of the tub.
 36. The heater assembly of claim 16, further comprising a clamp holding the heater in the cavity, wherein the clamp is configured to be separated from the tub together with the sensing device.
 37. The heater assembly of claim 36, wherein the clamp is fixed only to the sensing device.
 38. The heater assembly of claim 36, wherein the clamp has an end portion joined to the sensing device.
 39. The heater assembly of claim 30, wherein the heater is configured to be detachable from the tub at an outside of the tub.
 40. A heater assembly for a washing machine comprising: a cavity formed at a bottom surface of a tub storing washing water; a heater disposed in the cavity and heating the washing water; and a cover installed to the tub and protecting terminals of the heater.
 41. The heater assembly of claim 40, wherein the cover comprises non-conducting material of electricity.
 42. The heater assembly of claim 40, wherein the cover comprises first and second covers covering the terminals respectively.
 43. The heater assembly of claim 40, wherein the cover comprises an auxiliary cover covering a ground terminal of the heater.
 44. The heater assembly of claim 40, wherein the cover includes an inclined surface for allowing water to flow thereon.
 45. The heater assembly of claim 40, wherein the heater is configured to be detachable from the tub at an outside of the tub. 